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An experimental comparison of four different structures for continuum manipulators

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Continuum manipulators can exhibit behaviors similar to snakes, elephant's trunks, and octopus tentacles, which possess incredible dexterity and intrinsic compliance for safe interaction with unstructured environments. However, the lack of enough stiffness limits their scope and application. In this paper, we introduce four different structures of continuum manipulators, including a simple structure with three elastic actuated rods, a structure with a passive rigid kinematic chain, a structure with a hyperelastic notochord and a segmental structure inspired from the spine without articular structure. This paper presents an experimental comparison of four continuum manipulators and aims to explore approaches to enhance the stiffness of a continuum manipulator and maintain the simple constant curvature kinematics as far as possible simultaneously. Results of this paper contribute to guiding the design of a continuum manipulator for achieving desired stiffness properties.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation, IEEE ICMA 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages459-464
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781509023943
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2016
Event13th IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation, IEEE ICMA 2016 - Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Duration: 7 Aug 201610 Aug 2016

Publication series

Name2016 IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation, IEEE ICMA 2016

Conference

Conference13th IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation, IEEE ICMA 2016
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHarbin, Heilongjiang
Period7/08/1610/08/16

Keywords

  • Continuum robot
  • bioinspiration
  • kinematics
  • mechanical design
  • stiffness

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